During the COVID pandemic, the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly Street, offers many free online activities via Zoom for adults 50 and older as well as some onsite activities.
Registration for Zoom and hosted onsite events is required by visiting www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and clicking on Activities & Events or Lectures & Classes. Everyone who registers for Zoom events receives an email link for joining each activity online. Anyone who does not have WiFi or an email address can call 626.795.4331 to receive a phone number to call and listen to live Zoom events. COVID protocols are observed for all onsite events at the center.
Neither Pasadena Senior Center membership nor residency in Pasadena is required for these Zoom or onsite events.
Monthly Food Distribution Program — Friday, April 1, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot at Pasadena Senior Center. Low-income adults 60 and older receive one free box of food and couples receive two. Each box includes foods that meet specific nutritional needs, such as cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, dry milk and related dairy products, cereals and other grain products, and more. Proof of income and California ID are required for first-time recipients. Boxes are heavy, so bring a pull-behind personal cart to the parking lot between the Pasadena Senior Center and the Metro Gold Line station. Opening boxes on the premises is prohibited. Masks and social distancing are required.
Movie Matinees – Fridays, April 1 to 29, at 1 p.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Each member may bring one nonmember guest. April 1: "The Fighting Seabees" (1944, NR) starring John Wayne and Susan Hayward. During World War II, the U.S. Navy implements a new idea of forming construction battalions (CBs) that also are fighting units in case of Japanese attack. The film is loosely based on true events. April 8: "The Last King of Scotland" (2006, R) starring Forest Whitaker and James McAvoy. The story of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's regime is recounted through the eyes of his personal physician. The film is based on true events. April 16: "Harvey" (1950, NR) starring James Stewart and Peggy Dow. Due to his insistence that his best friend is an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit, a whimsical middle-aged man is thought by his family to be insane – but he may be wiser than anyone else. April 22: "Ford v Ferrari" (2019, PG-13) starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. To defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1966, American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford. The film is based on true events. April 29: "Sister Act" (1992, PG) starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith. When a Reno lounge singer is forced to take refuge from the mob at a convent in San Francisco, she ends up turning the convent choir into a soulful chorus complete with a Motown repertoire until the sudden notoriety of the choir jeopardizes her identity.
Sample Classes for Spring – Monday and Tuesday, April 4 and 5, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center and (some) live simultaneously via Zoom. Whether you’re interested in taking a fitness course, learning a new language or pursuing a new hobby, come to Class Tasting events, meet the instructors and sit in on free mini-versions of 15 of the 30 fee-based spring courses that will be offered. Each sample class lasts 30 minutes; regular classes begin April 11.
Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) – Wednesdays, April 6 to 27, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. In a relaxed and supportive environment, share your experiences with others living with diabetes and learn how to cope with this difficult illness. The DEEP support group is a vital part of many people's diabetes management and can have a significant, positive impact on their lives. Presented by Kathy Eastwood RN of the Huntington Hospital Community Outreach Program.
Fall Prevention – Thursday, April 7, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. As people get older, physical changes, medical conditions and medications can make falls more likely. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injuries among older adults. Learn strategies for preventing falls during this talk presented by Kathy Eastwood RN, a Huntington Hospital community outreach nurse.
Cultural Thursday: Inside the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection – Thursday, April 7, at 2 p.m. via Zoom. The Los Angeles Public Library has an enormous collection of images from the 1850s to the present. It is a treasure trove of images and history that documents all aspects of life in Southern California with an emphasis on L.A. Christina Rice, senior librarian for the photo collection, will introduce participants to the archive and share some tips for searching the more than 135,000-image collection online.
Chair Yoga — Tuesday, April 12, at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Improve balance, strength, flexibility and well-being while sitting in a chair or standing while using a chair for support during this gentle and meditative class.
Options for Financial Security – Thursday, April 14, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Learn how life settlements work and who can qualify, how to make the most of a reverse mortgage and about the value and valuation process of jewelry and other luxury goods. Presented by Foundation for Senior Services.
Music on the Patio: Bob, Don and David – Thursday, April 14, at 2 p.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Join pianist Bob Lipson, singer Don Snyder and pianist Bob Lipson and bassist David Young for another afternoon of music on the spacious patio featuring everybody's favorite show tunes and standards. Sing along, kick up your heels or simply tap your toes to the rhythm of the music.
Produce Distribution – Friday, April 15, from 9 to 11 a.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center while supplies last. Bags of nutritious fresh vegetables will be distributed on the patio courtesy of the Order of Malta Mobile Ministries. One bag per person will be available. Proof of COVID vaccination is required. Registration is not required.
Health Fair – Friday, April 15, from 9 to 11 a.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Get free blood pressure and glucose testing, hearing tests, updates in Medicare health plans, community resources and more.
Guided Tour of Pasadena Senior Center – Thursday, April 21, at 10 a.m. onsite at PSC. Take a guided tour with a Pasadena Senior Center ambassador and learn how PSC can enhance your life. Visit various areas of the center, peek in on activities and learn everything else about this first-ever accredited senior center in California. Tours are conducted the third Thursday of every month.
Have a Healthy Heart – Thursday, April 21, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Learn at least five habits you can incorporate into your lifestyle to keep your heart health the best it can be. Presented by Huntington Hospital.
Cultural Thursday: Celebrate the Pasadena Senior Games – Thursday, April 21, at 2 p.m. via Zoom. The Pasadena Senior Games are back! Join Annie Laskey, director of events at PSC and manager of the games, in discussion with special guests who will speak about their experiences in past games. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, this three-decade tradition will return in June and July with competitive athletic events for men and women 50 and older in 15 different sports, including Disc Golf, Pickleball, Swimming, track and field and more.
MUSE/IQUE Offstage Education Workshop – Wednesday, April 27, at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Take a deeper look at MUSE/IQUE's 2022 season "L.A. Composed: A Festival of Los Angeles Music." Direct from their own L.A.-area stages, featured guest artists will be in conversation with Heather Lipson Bell, MUSE/IQUE's director of education, community engagement and digital media.
Healthy Eating Can Be Easy and Fun – Thursday, April 28, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Learn how simple it can be to cook healthy whole foods, plan balanced meals, grow a patio vegetable without dirt, easy solutions for optimal health and the importance of fiber and protein. Presented by Foundation for Senior Services.
Cultural Thursday: Pam Kay and the Tap Chicks Spring Show – Thursday, April 28, at 2 p.m. onsite at Pasadena Senior Center. Celebrate the season with these talented tappers who have a spring in their step and are sought after all around the southland. Pam Kay and the Tap Chicks will present a festive show full of music, dance and laughter.
In addition to online classes, onsite events, and other activities, members and nonmembers of the Pasadena Senior Center are encouraged to visit the website regularly for a monthly magazine, COVID updates specifically for older adults, and more.
The center, at 85 E. Holly Street, is an independent, donor-supported nonprofit organization that has served older adults for more than 60 years. During the pandemic, doors are open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for social services and other critical services for older adults in need as well as the library, Sy Graff Fitness Center, computer lab, and limited occupancy for events. Masks and social distancing are required. Rooms are sanitized after each use.
In accordance with Los Angeles County Public Health Department guidelines, proof of COVID vaccination is required for everyone who uses the fitness center or attends onsite activities indoors.
